Histone Modification with Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20261094
- VernacularTitle:中药干预组蛋白修饰防治动脉粥样硬化研究进展
- Author:
Zhichao CHEN
1
;
He GUO
1
;
Ying YANG
2
Author Information
1. Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM），Shenyang 110847，China
2. Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of TCM，Shenyang 110032，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
histone modification;
atherosclerosis;
epigenetics;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(10):318-327
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases， and its occurrence and development are closely related to epigenetic regulation. Histone modification， as the core mechanism of epigenetic regulation， plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of AS by dynamically regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and its active components have shown unique advantages and potential in regulating histone modification for the prevention and treatment of AS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of histone acetylation， methylation， lactylation， etc. in the pathological process of AS and summarizes the latest research progress in the intervention of AS by the active components and compound prescriptions of TCM through regulating histone modification. Studies have indicated that TCM and its compound prescriptions regulate the activities of histone modification enzymes via multiple targets， showing unique advantages in influencing lipid metabolism and inflammatory response， as well as stabilizing vulnerable plaques and endothelial function. The active components of TCM directly target the activities or expression of histone modification enzymes such as histone acetyltransferases （HATs）， histone deacetylases （HDACs）， histone lysine methyltransferases （KMTs）， and histone lysine demethylases （KDMs）， thereby causing changes in histone modification and ultimately affecting gene expression and pathological phenotype in AS. However， current research still has problems such as insufficient in-depth basic research， unclear intervention effects and mechanisms of AS dynamics， relatively isolated studies on various factors of epigenetic modification， and unclear establishment of quality control standards for TCM compound prescriptions based on epigenetic regulation. In the future， in-depth research is still needed， and the research results should be translated into clinical applications. This article systematically clarifies the key role and mechanism of TCM in regulating the pathological process of AS through epigenetic intervention， providing new ideas for the modernization of TCM and precise prevention and treatment of AS.
